All that jiggles isn't always jello...

My girls were eating jello today and were loving the wiggly jiggly aspects...I was laughing as I thought about my "jiggle", thus today's title! A little humor goes a long way with me, and I needed it today with some grouchy kiddos! Their colds are looking better, and hopefully I will see some of you tomorrow!
1. the Word, just a little, plus helping Pantitos with her Bible Study; Hillsong and some praise dance (it was windy today!)
2. 26/26 points
3. exercise--pocito
4. h2o..too much Diet Coke, and vitamins

Wednesday - April 30

I am with The Mom. Didn't I just get the Christmas decorations put away? Time never went this fast when I was a kid.

I had a good day today, I had to make DNA tests to make sure the kids in my house were mine and not Stepford children. Sundance asked ....yes...asked to unload and load the dishwasher. He did his school work without fussing. Sundance helped me with two loads of laundry and he too did his school work without fuss.

1. Started the day with the Lord and read Bible, listened to KLTY while cleaning house today.
2. 26 of 32 points, ate my brown and greens
3. housework and lots of it, scrubbed the tile floors
4. Vitamin, and water, check and check

You all make this journey so great. Love you guys, until tomorrow.

Check In - 4/30

First, welcome to the new folks. I hope you find as much love & support in this blog as I have.

Second, can anyone explain to me where this year has gone? We are already to May, and I don't know how that is possible.

Third, a prayer request. My grandma is having catarac surgery tomorrow. She's really nervous for some reason. So, your prayers are appreciated.

And finally ...

1. Had our final meeting of Spring Bible study today. I wasn't ready for it to end. Also, spent time in Romans.
2. 30 of 29 points + activity points
3. Did 30 min of exercise video
4. Not quite enough water, way too much Diet Coke, vitamin & syntroid - good.

Until tomorrow ... blessings on you all.

Tuesday night - April 29

Hello my dears!!!
Hmmm, still have the same problems I had yesterday and today there was nothing I could do about it except lay it at the feet of the Father. I did not eat over it though. I am planning my food for the next day the night before. Keeps me from having to think too much about food during my day. I am using some prepared WW Smart Ones for lunch as I love a hot lunch but don' t like having to fix them.

1. Prayer, praise and Bible Study with the Lord today, some time outdoors.
2. 32 of 32 points. Ate my brown and greens,
3. walked a mile today!!!
4. vitamin and water, check, check.

We are headed to the MIL's this weekend and I would really appreciate your prayers as it is not always the best environment for my kiddos.

Until tomorrow. what a great blog, I so enjoy being accountable to ladies who I know love me unconditionally and inspite of myself.

Check In - 4/29

Took P1 to Culver's tonight on a date. Made sensible choice of grilled chicken, salad, few fries. But after smelling their burgers on the way out the door, determined next time to just get a small burger & enjoy it. That's what flex & activity points are for.

MIL left for home after being with us for a few days & DH left for Calif. on business. My house was suddenly quiet, which was good since I had a mild migraine.

1. Read Our Daily Bread & did some study for Galations study I'm writing. Prayers appreciated over that writing thing. Initial draft is supposed to be finished by end of summer.
2. 29.5 of 29 pts - ate lots more fruits & veggies today.
3. Walked neighborhood pushing P2 on trike.
4. Water, vitamins, Synthroid - yep. Thanks for this accountability line. I had gotten really slack at taking my Synthroid, & it is so vital to my overall wellbeing.

Have a blessed day tomorrow!

Tuesday 4/29

Hi gals!
We went to the Dallas Arboretum yesterday--it was gorgeous out there! Talk about some activity points--pushing Boomie (2 yr old) and chasing the bigs through the many trails...it was the perfect day from our good Father for some nature appreciation. This morning I missed you sweet ones as 3 peas were sneezy, grouchy, fevery and coughy! Hope we'll be up and running tomorrow...Dinner at Chili's tonight with inlaws and managed to make good choices...learning to savor the food in smaller portions.
1. Mon-Tues. not enough time in the Word, but praising Him in this beautiful Spring weather; praise and worship jams
2. 26/ 26 both days with 4 flex for Old Bear's b-day cake
3. lots of outside playtime
4. H2o and vitamins--peace out!

Monday night - April 28

What a difference a day makes, I still had some bad financial news today and I really felt those old feelings of panic, fear, disgust, and did I mention fear?I prayed about it, read some literature, took a walk with Hopalong and prayed some more. No matter how bad the situation, eating was not going to solve it nor was it going to make it better.

I planned my food today in the morning so I would not have to worry about it during the day, I still leave wiggle room as my sweet Creole neighbor brought Jambalaya over for our dinner. I just changed the plan and worked this already prepared dinner into my plan. I measured out 3/4 c of rice and some of the meat and went ahead and ate it. In the past, I would have eaten the entire bowl just because it was good food already made for me but now, I save some for lunch tomorrow and had enough to feed our entire family. My kids love rice.

Tonight I walked to Walgreen's to get Honey some 100,000 bars. It was a great opportunity to fire up the iPod and sing some great music loudly, some Chris Tomlin, Andrew Peterson, Amy G, and some vintage Dallas Holm.

1. Prayer and praise, read bible study, morning Psalms, lots of prayer about above issue.
2. 28 of 32 points ate all my Brown (whole wheat grains) and Greens (fruits and veggies)
3. walked for 30 minutes....YEA
4. Water and Vitamins.....check and check

Love you all, I am so grateful you have joined this blog. Keep on keeping on.

Check In - 4/28

1. Sang hymns of praise while folding laundry.
2. 32 of 29 points + 3 activity points
3. Did laundry all day
4. drank all water & took all pills required.

Love y'all!

Welcome Claygirl

Everyone welcome, Claygirl; one of the kindest, biggest hearted people I know. Welcome to our blog. Introduce yourself, post your thoughts and join us as we Bear Much Fruit.

Sunday night written on Monday afternoon - April 28

1.Great day of prayer and praise at church, some quiet contemplation and prayer in the afternoon.
2. 32 of 32 points
3. No real exercise
4. vitamin and water check and check

The real great thing that happened yesterday is I got back to going to an OA meeting. You see, my name is Athena and I am a compulsive overeater. When I start eating right, I can not live with the feelings and emotions that arise and I need the support and encouragement of OA to do it. I got lost in the day to day of being a wife and mom and forgot about Athena. Today, my joy has returned in full and guess what, the laundry is still there, Butch is still jumping around the house and Hopalong is still making messes but I've remembered this is just the way life is and I can cope today, for 24 hours with GOd's help. I can eat right, I can take care of myself, I can live one day at a time.

Matthew 6:34 says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Weekend Check In

Greetings! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had rotating doors of friends last night and today, which was actually fun. The bbq for Old Bear is postponed as his family members were out of town...still lots of goodies coming into the house, but I have shown restraint! I'm working on that just a bite thing, Athena!
1. fellowship, house church, prayer and praise
2. points--yep, they're all used up 26/26
3. trampoline "double bouncing" my 3 peas
4. water, too much Diet Coke! and vitamin

Check In - 4/27

We had an interesting day at FBC McKinney. We cancelled church services this morning so that the entire church could participate in mission/service projects around Collin County. Our family decorated small flower pots & planted flowers to take to nursing home residents. I forget how much elder people & children enjoy each other.

Tonight we had a missions banquet. When each family arrived they were given their tickets, and the color of the ticket determined your "class" in society. Upper class enjoyed linens, china & a full meal served to them. Middle class served themselves beans, rice, a roll, and some beef, with paper plates & plasticware. Lower class was given a bowl of rice & beans and had room temp brownish water to drink. It was quite the object lesson.

1. Time of service this AM. Wonderful worship & learning tonight.
2. 29 of 29 pts.
3. No real exercise.
4. Water/vita/synthroid - yep

Have a good week!

Sat night - April 26

1. Not enough but I did read my devotional, prayed, read some Psalms
2. 32 of 32 but not enough veggies
3. Yard work
4. vitamin and water...not enough water...too much soda, vitamin check

Off to bed as it is already tomorrow and this is when I really get tempted, when no one is around.

Check In - 4/26

Sorry to miss yesterday. We were at Relay for Life until late. I'm soooo tired today, and I know part of that is because I missed my vitamin & synthroid yesterday. And a lot of it is due to chasing a two year old around Relay for 3 hours last night.

On with today. I didn't eat enough veggies or drink enough water, but I did stay in points. I spent a 45 minute drive to Dallas (without kids or radio) in song & prayer this morning. Amazing what you hear in the quiet. Didn't do anything exercisey today, aside from day-to-day stuff. Took my synthroid & vitamin.

Hope y'all have a blessed Lord's Day!

For Yesterday Friday

I am so proud of each of you! Thank you for being here for me and I LOVE praying for you.

Yesterday I blew it. I took Roo and Bubba to the mall and tucked the Starbuck's cookies (my mom brought over) in my purse for a snack while went to our appt. and played at the playland. Well, I ate most of them myself and just looked and they were NINE points each! I ask myself WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST THROW THOSE AWAY? Duh! Yesterday:
1. Didn't spend time in the word thus the eating out of boredom and not staying in the Spirit.
2. Ate 52 points, thank God for the flex points.
3. Didn't work out, walked the mall but no to the point of sweating.
4. Vitamins, yeah I found some, water good too.

I want to check in more often. I love reading your comments. So glad we are in this together. Haven't lost more weight but since I'm normally heavier during my monthly I'm cool staying the same weight for a few days. Talk to you soon and lifting you up to the One who has the transforming power we need. LOVE YA'LL!

Friday night - April 25

Feelings still a little rough today, since I know this too will pass, I am just praying, reading my Bible and trying not to overreact to my family.

1. Read Bible, prayer, fellowship with fellow Christians, quality family time
2 42 of 32 points, used those flex points for some CiCi's tonight with the family
3. Rollerskating, (probably 40minutes all togther) yep it was fun, felt like I was 12 again, HipHopMomma, remind me to tell you about Homeschool skating on Fridays.
4. water, Vitamin, Check, check

Just an advanced warning....

Man, still feeling those intense feelings. I have realized how much I have eaten when I was angry or frustrated with the men in my life. I am going to have to learn new ways of dealing with the feelings and I am not real sure how to do it. Eating has been my crutch for so long. I read this today from Sue Bohlin at Probe Ministries.

You've been on "The Weight Loss adventure" for about a week now, friend, and you may benefit from an advance warning of what may be waiting for you a little down the path.

Whenever we seek to walk out the Lord's desire for our holiness by stopping sinful habits, there may be an unexpected effect after a time. Many of us have used food to self-medicate or cover up some uncomfortable or downright painful heart issues. When we stop using the food to distract ourselves from what's going on in our hearts, these deep things can rise to the surface and make us wonder what's going on. Some students have discovered old fears resurfacing - fears of being vulnerable if their bodies are attractive again. Others have rediscovered the pain of long-buried disappointments, or abuse, or emotional starvation from many years before. Still others, report feeling numb or depressed because they had been depending on food for comfort or encouragement or even entertainment, and suddenly it wasn't there anymore.

We want you to know this may happen and, if it does, not to fear this good thing. As you grow in intimacy with the Lord Jesus and feast on Him, He knows these deep things of the heart will surface, and He wants you to invite Him into those previously hidden places. He wants you to give Him your feelings, your fears, your disappointments and pain. Psalm 51 says, "I know that You desire truth in my inmost parts," and He deeply desires you to be honest with Him about what's going on inside. Friend, the Lord wants to shine His light into your darkness, and He wants to bring not only freedom from your bondage to food, but also healing to whatever caused you to be in bondage in the first place.

One student wrote, "As God has given me victory over overeating and my relationship with Christ became more intimate, other sin issues began to come to the surface. For those of us who have been in bondage to overeating for a very long time and are now becoming free, dealing with other sin issues without turning to food may be quite overwhelming. It is helpful to know this may happen, in order to be prepared when it occurs."

So. . . heads up! Don't let discouragement rob you of the joy ahead! God is at work in you, doing a marvelous work of grace and glory. The process my be difficult, but the rewards are well worth it

Thursday into Friday

Thursday's are busy as Athena and Joy can attest to! Super tired out yesterday afternoon, but went for that power walk anyhow.
1. Bible study--yes, and good talk with a friend about cool stuff God's doing...
2. points-- 26 of 26.
3. walkin' my tired old self
4. water and vitamins--yep
Hugs to you all. Hope the weekend is good, and not too tempting! We are hosting a bbq for Old Bear's b-day, and I'm not looking forward to it...my extended family has been getting to me lately; hopefully I'll have a good attitude and stay away from that food when I'm frustrated!

Thursday, April 24

1. Bible Study today and some great discussion of Ephesians 5, prayer, praise, listened to a good sermon on the radio
2. 36 of 32 points, used 4 flex points
3. Nope, no exercise
4. vitamin and water, check and check

This always happens the second week after I start eating right and not eating over my feelings. I have major melt down as I am no longer eating over my feeling and having to actually feel them. Let me tell you, they are some powerful feelings. I almost lost it today at Bible Study, at least it was after it was over. I know this is going to happen but there is nothing that prepares me for it. I just have to pray alot and feel alot and know this too shall pass or at least I will get use to feeling so strongly.

I would appreciate your prayers as I work through this faze in my weight loss. I love you guys.

Joy-I didn't get a chance to tell how sweet Rool was today, she couldn't wait to show me her arm. " Miss Athena, Look at my arm, No cast!!!" Priase God, for quick healing.

Check In - 4/24

Um ... I think I lost all my pounds this week from the top of my boobs. They look about as empty & sad as they did after I stopped nursing CJ. That may be TMI, but I had a moment (a very brief moment) where I wondered if this weightloss thing was a good idea. The fat couldn't be kind enough to vacate my thighs first?

1. Daily quiet time - read Our Daily Bread on-line. Athena, you might find today's topic timely.
2. 29 of 29 - I think. We had a banquet at church tonight, so I can't be sure of the points.
3. Excerise - dustmopped downstairs of house, chased dog down the street, toted 6 loads of laundry upstairs
4. Water - not so much, Synthroid - check, Vitamin - check

Check In - 4/23

I was worried about today because I had Bible study, and we always have good food - not especially healthy food. But I planned for it, ate small samples of what was available, and succeeded.

1. Bible study was awesome on prayer & when answers don't come.
2. 29 or 29 points
3. Exercise - swept, dustmopped & scrubbed my kitchen floors; also walked entire neighborhood pushing P2 on trike with P1 on scooter.
4. water, vitamin, synthroid - check

You all rock!

Hump Day...

Busy, busy today. The house is a mess (for me--I don't think it phases the other inhabitants!) but the hour is too late for these weary hands to work!
1. time with the Lord--helping Pantitos with Bible assign. and p and w; series by Beth Moore
2. 27 of 26 points
3. exercise--check
4. water and vitamins--down the hatch
looks like 1 1/2 lbs. off since we started this accoutability last week!

April 23 - Checkin in

Just a quick check in tonight.
1. prayer and read the Bible but not near as much as I needed today
2. 28/32 points
3. nope, see note below
4. water, vitamin, check, check

note:I am typing one handed as Hopalong has a sinus infection and he is wraped in my other one, I am enjoying the last glimpses of babydom.

Tues- 4/22

Happy Earth Day, didn't God give us a beautiful place to live? Tuesdays are our crazy days. Morning spent at Bible Study, which was awesome, and afternoons at the park.
1. Good day with the Lord, praise, prayer and bible study.
2. 28 of 32 points
3. YES YES YES - Got out the ole iPod I got for Christmas and listened to some Burns and Allen while walking the 'hood for 35 minutes. Felt great, now why was I not doing this all along?
4. Vitamin, check, water, check

Until Tomorrow, Love you girls,

(Oh yea, and I lost 7 pounds this week!!!! Thanks you Lord for your faithfulness to me and leading me in your way.)

I'm back...

So sorry ya'll! I've been nutso busy and I'm not good at making things short but I need to learn, so JUST DO IT and make it a habit joyofthelord!
Since last checkin cleaned up act until Sat. went over on points, got back in the groove Monday, worked out and did good on points.
Today:
1. Great study time, fellowship and prayer, God is so good to me.
2. 27 out of 27
3. still sore from yesterday and am planning tomorrow, either Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds or Kathy Smith Project You.
4. Water, check, still need some suggestions on good vitamins.

Love ya'll, congrats mom on the cool scale, way to go athena on the points and hiphop, you're doing great, hang in there!

Check In - 4/22

Do anything for Earth Day? We spent lots of time outside enjoying the earth God gave us. P2 did not enjoy the ants biting his feet when he stepped in their path.

1. Time with God spent preparing to lead Bible study tomorrow
2. 28 of 29 points
3. Exercise consisted mostly of chasing 2 year old around the yard, in & out of the house, up & down the stairs.
4. Water, Vitamin, Synthroid - yep, yep, yep

Also, bo't a new scale - the WW one that measures BMI, body fat, bone mass, etc. Totally cool.

Terrific Tuesday

Howdy all!
Good day so far...glad my hubby is back. I was growing weary. Glad for the fellowship today with the gals; it sure helps to know we're all in this together.
I'm doing well with the exercise, but I keep rewarding afterwards...staying in those points, but possibly using the flex points up too fast. Hmm...will just working at it.
Love to you all.

I love these Ziploc Zip'n Steam

I love veggies and these Ziploc Zip'n Steam keep me from getting more dishes dirty. Tonight I had some yellow squash, zucchini squash, a little yellow onion and some fresh garlic. I put them all in the bag with a little salt and steamed for 3 minutes. Out pops some yummy veggies with no added points for cooking oil. I did spray them with some Parkay spray for a little flavor. There is not waste, no mess and a yummy serving (or two) of fresh veggies at alot less cost than the steamer bags from the grocery store. Savings and good food, two of my favorite things.

My 1st Real Check In - 4/21

I was hungry all day. Probably because I didn't start the day with my usual, fat-laden bacon & cheese taquito from Whataburger (imagine how much I'll lose just cutting that 3x a week habit!). Or because I'm still getting the hang of this. I ate raw veggies & fruit all day & got to the end of the day with 8 points still to use. I'm choosing to burn them eating 3 mini choc chip cookies.

1. Time with God - limited to prayer with boys at bedtime, but the day's not over ...
2. 29 of 29 points
3. Does 2 hours of grocery shopping with a 2 year old in tow count as exercise? I say, YES!
4. Water, vitamin & Synthroid - check, check, check

Woo hoo!

We grilled out for the first time this year tonight. Grilled chicken, grilled baked potatoes, grilled asparagus/tomatoes/onion mixed - delicious. And my kitched was not a disaster at the end of it - even better.

Monday night - April 21

Can we say Sugar Hangover? I know too much refined sugar is not in my best interest. Today, I have felt like my head was in a fog and my body was feeling all bloated. Today, I was back to eating right.
B was cheese toast with Reduced Calorie (RC) bread and cheese and a WW Yogurt - 5 points
L - PBJ and banana -8 points
D - Grilled Catfish with mushrooms and olive oil, Banana, WW fudge bar, WW Yogurt, 2 corn dog nuggets - 14 points.

1. when I am down do I turn to the Lord, oh no, I crawl in a hole. Not until tonight when the hang over wore off and I got a nap due to Honey's early arrival did I finally turn to the Lord.
2. 27 points
3. had a hard time getting out of bed let alone exercise
4. water, and vitamin

Keep on keeping on.

A Scale

Anyone have a scale (for weighing self not food) that they really love? DH keeps his set 7+ lbs heavy, which is not very encouraging. I want a nice new accurate one to help with the motivation.

Sunday Night

Did not even want to write this but since we are being honest with each other, I blew it. Here it is true confessions of the glutenous overeater.

(Now keep in mind that today was the anniversary (6 yrs) of my mom's death. Ok, I know it is not an excuse but that is who I rationalized it. )
Ate two sausage rolls for breakfast. Not too bad as they are 4 points each.
Lunch, made a grilled cheese with three cheeses and some chips for lunch after church, 11 points.

Here is where it gets bad, the twins went to a b-day party and when I picked them up, I was handed a plate with not one, not two, but three pieces of cake for Hopalong. SURE!!! He ate one, I ate two plus what he did not eat of his. Gobbled it up like I had never seen cake before. Did it make me feel better? Sure, for the time being. Now, I wish I had not eaten it.

Dinner was a baked potato with lite marg and Free Ranch. Some noodles with V-8 (old family receipe of Honey's). 10 points.

So, with out the cake, I was well within my points. Well, there is only one day in which to be super sad. Tomorrow is a new day.

1. Great day at church, sang praise, good preaching, great teaching
2. Well, See above
3. Painting and yard work
4. not enough H2O and took my vitamin (hmm, is there a coorelation between enough water and overeating?)

Until tomorrow my friends, LOVE YOU.

Sunday!

My sweet baby is 9 today...can't believe it! I was telling my mom about our blog here, and she was so encouraged. After her victory over breast cancer four years ago, she lost 55 lbs. with weight watchers. So, she told me she'd pay my first month since it sounded like I had good accountability! I'm with you, The Mom, it's scary! I've done WW before, but really want to be a Weight Warrior and Weight Winner this time! So, I'll stop counting calories and start counting points, which sounds like a win win since that's what you all are doing.
1. The Word--yes, hooray! Love the study this week for a certain group...
2. points--yes, like those flex ones (esp. on wknds.!)
3. workout--yes, shooting hoops with my dad and girls
4. aqua and vitamins
Daddy/Old Bear is returning home tonight. Look forward to seeing him...Hugs to you all!

Saturday night - April 19

Quick check in--
1. Read my Bible this am, thats about it. Spend some time in the yard working in the dirt and just praying and thinking.
2. Too many points but I do have my flex points or whatever they call them these days. So I had 49 points, yep, 49, Chicken Express just does not have unfried food.
3. Yard work, lost of yard work.
4. Water check and VItamin, check.

What is so great about Weight watchers is being able to have those flex points for that one night a week when you want to eat out and enjoy it without feeling deprived because let me tell you, a sense of deprivation is one thing that sets me off on a major bender.

Checking In for Whatever Day

I must confess to joining this group at Athena's invitation without much of a plan or tho't to what I was signing up for. But your daily accountability has drawn me in.

I signed up with Weight Watchers on-line today. Why am I so nervous about this? "Tried & failed" keeps echoing thru my head. The truth is, if my memory is correct, "tried & succeeded" then gained again due to fertility rounds. What I know is, there are no more fertility rounds in my future. There is menopaus sometime in the next 10 or so years. All the more reason to get this weight off now.

Thanks you guys for the motivation.

April 18-Checkin In

Man what a day. By afternoons end, I felt like one big raw nerve. "What is going on?" I pondered. I tried to head to Sonic for a little Happy Hour Diet Cherry Limeade and I forgot my purse. Thank heavens because those cheese sticks sure looked tempting. I went back home, got my purse and headed over to The Mom's house to let our boys play.

On the way all I could think about was that I wanted to call my sister. I did. I was telling her about feeling like a raw nerve and she said "look at your watch". "Ok, it is 4:00, so?" "No, look at the date." Then it dawned on me, on Sunday it will be 6 years since my mom died. I guess my subconscience just knew it. Then I began to pray about it and ask the Lord to not let me be so sensitive about it or to let it affect my mood or my relationships.

I have been so much more at peace tonight. I guess it helps to know what is eating at you before you eat over it. I am so much more at peace. Of course talking to my sister about it and crying a bit on the phone then talking to The Mom about it too helps tons. (thanks girl, youre the best).

The good news is I have not eaten over it. Was I tempted? You bet ya sweet boopy I was. But I didnt act upon it.

Thank you Jesus for sending the Comforter to me today to calm my rough nerves, my friends to share a tale and read a ramble and thank you for loving me enough.

1.Read the bible and some Morning Praise, Prayer, lots of it,
2. 29 of 32 points
3. what? I am suppose to exercise? Oh yea,
4. water, check, Vitamin, check

Love you girls, thanks for the prayers and love, it is working, I can feel it.

To my Friends:

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.

C. S. Lewis
English essayist & juvenile novelist (1898 - 1963)

I love you guys!!!!

4-17 check in..

Hi gals...so encouraged reading your honest words! My hubby, Old Bear is out of town and for some reason this morning I'm thinking about dinner tonight! He called and said to take 3 sweet peas out--but that may be a bigger temptation than I'm ready for. I'm a bit tired, missing him, and that could lead to bad choices. This is why we keep fighting the good fight...
Yesterday went fairly well. Stayed in calorie range, did a fun pilates video,which is leaving the muscles which I didn't realize I had, nice and tired!
I listened to 2 great sermons from a pastor at Mosaic church in L.A. (on I tunes.) He is very po-mo and I think his analogies are funny and timely. As far as personal time in the Word...I'm still struggling with that. It's so easy to multi-task and listen to sermons and praise music, but stopping and reading, means Stopping! Hopefully today (Friday) I'll find and make that time without excuse. I feel a bit edgy, not with my kiddos but with my extended family who has called to "check in" on me. I can't always tell if their intentions are good, and I feel impatient with their lives. Not cool....TTFN! Love you all!

Tough yesterday- Hopeful this morning!

Just bummed about how I acted yesterday. Only read study commentary (time with the Lord), was doing good points wise until Dan was late getting off work and I ate 3 cookies from 4-6pm! They were 4 points a piece and this time I knew it! Weakness. The good news is I have worked out this morning and I'm on my way to do some Bible reading and study. This spoke to me today:

Romans 7: 14b-25 The Message
Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? 25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Yeah for friends, thank you for being in this battle with me. Thank you Jesus for being here with us, help us to rely completely on you, help us put on our new self and clothe us in your righteousness, holiness and strength.

Just some stuff I was thinking about- And Tonight's report

This weeks Bible Study lesson was so great and appropriate for me this week. Ephesians 4:22 says:

"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Though I know I became a new creature and put on my new self when I became a Christian but with overeating, I don't think I have ever looked at it as putting on new behaviors and a new self. I have always tried to "white knuckle" it or find ways to cheat on a diet or eat right for 5 days and then overeat for 2 days of a week. I had never looked at overcoming my eating habits by putting on all new ones.

This will be quite a challenge as my old ways are quite set. Years and years of bad habits to put off. I have not been successful by keeping my old ways and so I have prayed that GOd will take away the desire to continue in the old ways and will show me how to eat to glorify Him and to become in His likeness.

I ask some special prayers for tomorrow as our home school group can be quite challenging as far as eating is concerned. There is always a bake sale and I am ashamed to admit last week I bought and ate two brownies. (ARGH, I wasn't even hungry. I even rationalized it by saying it was for a good cause. Hmm, same excuse I used for the box of Girl Scout Cookies.)There are snacks and chips and well lets just say not the greatest eating choices. I am going to take my lunch but I had already ordered my lunch last week so I will have to try to find someone else to take it.

Know I am praying for you all!!

1. CBS Study today, listened to sermon during lunch, praise music in the background all day.
2. 27 of 32 points (I have more points but I am not really hungry so why eat them.)
3. No exercise......argh
4. Water - check Vitamin - check

Until manana,
Love you guys.

Yesterday...

I'm a little behind, but here goes:
1.time with the Lord--not enough personally, but reading Psalms with kiddos and helping Little Pantitos (my nearly 9 yr old!) with some Bible study; listening to Hillsong and my praise peeps throughout the day
2. I'm doing calorie counting for now--I'm at 1800 a day...so I met my cal. + an extra 100--oops!
3. exercise--yes; a funky dance DVD that my girls like to do with me!
4. water and vitamins--check

Thank you Athena for help with my ticker!!!

4-16 for JoyoftheLord

Hmmmm I so hear ya Athena, I didn't spend enough time with God.

1. Listened to 90.5 American Family Radio, prayed off and on through the day and with daddy and kiddos at night. No time in the Word today :(
2. Used 32 out of 27 points - make sure to figure out the points of the dessert BEFORE you eat it!
3. Worked out for 30 min.
4. I had 4 waters and fruits and veggies, probably need some good vitamins, will ck on that.

Had a good day, made a chicken pita/burrito for lunch only 4 points and EASY. Played with the kiddos, searched online for summer camps, picked up the house, went to the grocery, had sweet friends over for dinner, got a few minutes to talk to Prince after kiddos went down. I was edgy most of the day as I forgot to put on my "new clothes" but confession is good and today is a new day, his mercy comes in the morning, I feel it this morning! Off to study now!

Could've made lunch have less points but I had to put 1 Tbsp. of Miracle Whip on it. Took:
1 wholegrain tortilla
1/2 breast grilled chicken
1/2 c. mixed greens
1 Tbsp. Miracle Whip

Going to experiment with no point dressings, just bought some, will let you know what's good. Also got the WW yogurts, love those,too!

BEAR MUCH FRUIT GIRLS!

Just for Today-April16

1. Listened to a sermon during lunch on 90.9 KCBI, read my Bible (15 minutes)
2. Used 32 out of 32 points
3. No exercise - got to get this together
4. 8 Water and my Horse Pill

Woke up this morning with an allergy attack and took some medicine then fell back to sleep. The boys were extra quiet so as not to wake up Mom but I know it was to watch more TV. I can tell I did not spend enough time with the Lord today as I was just on edge all day. Now I am off to bed as I read an article that lack of sleep can lead to overeating. I'll find it and post it here.

Until tomorrow....love you guys!!!

Did I mention...

that The Mom is quite computer savvy? How do you all like the new banner she created? I love it. Thanks Mom for the cute design!!

My New Favorite Snack

I love a snack in the afternoon. You know, that time between when school is finished and Honey gets home. The time when the noise level in my house cresendos to a loud roar. When the back door and the front door are being opened every 5 seconds and the snacks seem to fly out of the kitchen.

I have discovered these Weight Watcher's yogurts. I know they have been around a while but I had not tried them thinking they would not taste good but boy was I wrong.

My new favorite is the Lemon Cream Pie. I also like the White Chocolate Rasberry. I am looking for the Key Lime Pie but my store does not carry that flavor. They are only 1 point, 100 calories, .5 g of Fat, 3 g of Fiber, and 6 g of Protein.

I am so glad to find an alternative to afternoon munchies. I am going to stick one in the freezer and see what happens.

Just for Today-April 15

One day down. My daily checking in will be in this way:

1. How I have spent time with the Lord.
2. How many Points I have eaten.
3. Did I exercise?
4. Water and vitamins

So for here are the results:

1. CBS Leadership, listened to a sermon while fixing lunch, prayer and scripture reading when I got up (10 minutes), listened to praise music while fixing dinner
2. I ate 32 points . (out of 32 allowed)
   
3. Nope - got to find a time and a place
4. Yep, 8 glasses and swallowed those horse pills

Until tomorrow-Athena

My Turn ...

I'm 38 yrs, approaching 40 quickly. I've been married to DH for 17.5 years. We met in college 20 years ago this spring. Hard to believe I've known him more than 1/2 my life. We have 2 sons - P1 (Precious the First) is 7 and P2 (Precious, Too) is 2 yrs. They share a birthday and love each other most of the time. P1 is an intellect, enjoys soccer & wearing his hair too long. He says, "I know I will be a scientist when I grow up, but I don't know what kind of scientist God wants me to be yet." P2 is a nudist (as most 2 yr olds) and a stand up comedian. He also frequently helps himself to drinks & snacks often resulting in messes and always resulting in my laughing & grabbing my camera. You can check those pics out on my blog ugottalaff.blogspot.com.

My weight issues were always there. I was a solid child who was kept inactive due to terrible allergies & asthma (Thank goodness, there are better meds to help with that now). I thinned down in 10th grade by cutting back on sodas & eating only 1/2 of every meal. My mother tho't I was anerexic - turns out she had food issues, too. Stayed healthy/thinnish until I got married - birthcontrol pills not only triggered migraines for me but also added 5 or more pounds a year. The worst part of that was they weren't necessary at all because we can't get pregnant without major medical intervention. Fertility drugs combined with stress & emotional eating added 5 pounds a month to my body. My father-in-law getting cancer last year & moving in with us during treatment (combined with stress & emotional eating) added 10 pounds.

Those 10 pounds have melted away in the last couple of months, as that stress subsided. Having lost 10, I'd like to keep moving in the right direction. I workout 2x a week at our church gym. But I eat horribly. My biggest weakness, drive thru breakfast after dropping P1 at school. That and Sonic Happy Hour. I'm intelligent enough to know what it takes to lose weight. I just haven't found the right motivation. Now my mom has lost 50 pounds & she's giving me her fat clothes. I can't stand it. Also, when I realize how old I'll be when P2 graduates from high school, I know I've got to take better care of myself.

Thanks, Athena, for all your love. I think you're the greatest.

Howdy! This is my first blog, I'm so excited. I am Joy of the Lord and I'm up here close to Oklahoma, not really, but we are 34 miles north of Dallas. I love the names you have for your sweet family Athena. I can at least use our nicknames. I have a wonderful husband of 10 years who I call my Prince as he has rescued me in his shining armor many times. We are blessed to have our little girl, Roo who enjoys dressing up, smashing bugs and singing, and she thinks Hopalong is sweet. Our little Bubba just turned 3 and his red hair and dark eyes just make him too handsome some days for me to train properly, and what a sense of humor, man he makes me laugh.

I have started my weight struggle when my parents divorced at 10 years old. Then in middle and high school it just melted off, I was so busy chasing boys. After I met my Prince part of our fun was eating together. I'm 33 now and have realized I have never actually successfully lost weight and kept it off, I yo-yo'd quite a bit. I'm finding it to be VERY hard to stick to points on WW but I don't even know where to start with a diet, I know it's about balance and asking the Lord to help me. We do want more children but I'd like to shape up before I get preg as not to stress my body out entirely.

I echo Athena and am ready to "get some support and lose the weight for the last time. It will be a huge struggle but with prayers, love, support, I know this time will be the last time for us all as we'll have spiritual understanding and support about overeating and learning to treat our bodies as the temple of God! I am looking forward to joining you all as we journey together.

Thank you Athena for getting us started...now to see how to do a ticker thing. Love Ya'll!

Another Introduction...

I'm so proud of my minivan mom friend for the courage it takes to put this up and be honest!
I go by hiphophousewife, which is a nickname some of the youth we ministered to gave me. They always laughed when I tried to sing rap, so this is my fated name!
I too battle the post pregnancy weight, and 2 years later am feeling tired, slow and sluggish, but want desperately to keep up with my 3 precious daughters. They are so energetic and full of life, and I'm too young not to have fun with them!
I have been working out regularly at the gym and through DVD's but my problem is rewarding myself afterwards with snacks! I'm a real snacker, and that is my hardest habit that I need to break. I'm not talking yogurt and fruit, I mean chips and soda! Yikes!
So, I'm grateful to have a safe place to vent frusterations and to celebrate victories! God is good, gracious, and cares about the details of our lives and our plates....pretty cool.
We can do it!

Introductions

Let's get to know one another better. Post your name or secret ID, where you live (just in general), what your are doing to eat right, anything else you want anyone to know about you...I'll start.

On the web, I go by Athena or Athenainaminivan. Since you all know in IRL (in real life) let's just keep my real name to ourselves. I refer to my children on the web as Butch, Sundance and Hopalong. Butch is my oldest twin who is spunky and is 8 yrs old (by 2 minutes), Sundance, who will talk you ears off, is the other twin and is 8 too. Hopalong is their ever energetic 4 yr old brother. I refer to my husband as Honey.

We live in Texas in a former small town now turned Suburban sprawl just north of Dallas.

I have struggled with my weight most of my life. I have tried them all, well mostly, Weight Watchers so many times I could own stock. I had success between pregnancies but I am trying to lose my baby weight and he is now 4.

I have spent the past 6 months learning how to glorify the Lord in my eating. I have been dealing with some pretty heavy emotions but now the time has come to get some support and lose the weight for the last time. It will be a huge struggle but with prayers, love, support, I know this time will be the last time.

I love the others on this group blog. I am looking forward to joining you all as we journey together.

Welcome to our Blog.

Welcome girls, Here we can post what we are eating, how we are growing in Christ, how we can honor the Lord in all we do....Come on and let's bear fruit together.